Let me preface my obvious newbie question that I'm sure has been answered a dozen times by saying the following:
1. I did try to search the boards; the search function didn't work for me.
2. I have read/checked the Wiki, and while I'm sure the data on this is perfectly accurate, it's a bit difficult to interpret for someone who's not used to the game/formulas.
Since I'm a total newbie to Survival Mode (previously I only played Classic in-browser), I've been playing the game strictly on Peaceful mode so I can get the hang of different techniques, how the game behaves, what everything does, etc... I plan on easing myself into actually playing full-out on mob-friendly difficulties over the next few days by trying building up forts on Peaceful, then turning the mobs on and trying my mettle against the monsters (yes, I admit, I'm a complete wuss; arachnophobia being just one reason). But before I do, I thought I'd ask a couple questions about mob-proofing my fort. So far, after reading up on the wiki, I've done the following:
Adding precipices to the tops of my walls, to deter spiders.
Roofing my fort with openings for ladders, to minimize the threat from skeletons.
I've begun building emergency escape routes in case of emergency.
So far, the other mobs appear to be mere annoyances; it's the Creepers that I'm worried are going to get to me. I don't think I understand the formula for explosion damage, so I'm not sure exactly what materials will survive a Creeper explosion and what won't, beyond the obvious (clearly dirt won't survive, and obviously Obsidian will withstand almost anything). Of course, once I'm farming Obsidian I'm in the clear, because anything that requires Diamond to mine and can open inter-dimensional hell-gates has gotta be pretty tough. However, it's getting to that point, with mobs, that has me worried. For example, does the richly abundant Cobblestone withstand a direct explosion? Right now, my fort is comprised of that atop a Sandstone base (I've literally got thousands of cobblestone blocks thanks to a quarry directly outside my current abode). I'm not really all that willing to risk having huge holes blown in my base (not to mention killed while carrying good items) to test it out. If it's not enough, what early-game blocks can I get my hands on that WILL stop those annoying creatures?
Like I said, I'm sure this has already been answered, so if someone has a guide up that explains it in plain Newbie, just link me there and I'll just read that. Thanks for reading. :smile.gif:
Cobblestone won't withstand a creeper explosion. They can leave a large crater in your cobblestone fort.
Any block can stop creepers as long as they can't get to you through it, though. Glass will stop creepers.
The key to a creeper-proof fort is:
1) Light it up so they can't spawn in it.
2) Do not have openings into your fort that are less than 2 blocks above a place creepers can get to. Requiring going through a door to get into your base works great.
3) Make your entrances either with lots of glass around the door so you can see, or a walkway or other thing so they can't lurk right outside the door.
If they can't see you/have a door between you and them, they won't explode. So just make sure you don't go near any that are around and your base, and look both ways before you cross the yard.
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I'm told that computers use cookies to store information, mostly with an internet browser.
I usually cram a few oreos into my CD tray to keep it running smoothly.
-TimmySteve
here's what you should do. the thing about creepers is that they can see through thin (1 block thick) walls, so build a cobblestone wall 2 blocks thick around the outside of your fort, and make it really tall, so that they cannot see you. once you have obsidian, build a safe haven in the center of your fort out of obsidian that you can evacuate to, with an iron door and buttons on both sides.
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I don't ever recommend a newbie start on peaceful. I think Easy is the best option, so they can experience their first night. Starting on peaceful will get you used to playing on peaceful, and the game is the most fun (but the most scary) with mobs. As for your creeper problem, they are pesky little guys, just make sure your base is lit completely, closed off everywhere (except for your entrance which should be a door), and just to be safe, bring a sword or bow+arrow everywhere :wink.gif:
My best advice: be the most careful just as you're leaving your base. Without you being nearby, they will never explode, so this is the point where your base is the most vulnerable.
Cobble doesn't withstand a direct explosion. I think brick might, and I know for sure obsidian does.
Creeper explosions seem to be more powerful than TNT explosions.
Cobblestone and brick have same resistance
Creeper=1/3 TNT
I cover my special buildings with half steps and double steps for 4 reasons. It will protect against the layer underneath while sacrificing itself, cheap... that is if you're abundant on cobblestone, looks nice and smooth, also prevent monster spawning on your roof and jumping on your head while you leave.
Cobble doesn't withstand a direct explosion. I think brick might, and I know for sure obsidian does.
Creeper explosions seem to be more powerful than TNT explosions.
Cobblestone and brick have same resistance
Creeper=1/3 TNT
I cover my special buildings with half steps and double steps for 4 reasons. It will protect against the layer underneath while sacrificing itself, cheap... that is if you're abundant on cobblestone, looks nice and smooth, also prevent monster spawning on your roof and jumping on your head while you leave.
I thought notch fixed it so enemy mobs spawn on halfblocks, glass, and leaves now?
I'm not afraid of them anymore, because I know their limits. Usually, the best way to deal with them is to simply run away from your base at full speed, blade in hand, and turn around after a few seconds for a creeper-check. If you see any, lead them a safe distance away (they move slightly slower than you) and hit them in the face with your sword until they're gone. Once you get a bow, this becomes even easier.
Of course, until you feel comfortable enough to fight them mano a mano, you can just build a 3-block-deep, 2-block-wide trench around your base. Creepers will be caught, and you can just build a bridge over them to escape.
It doesn't matter if they can see you through blocks, as even if they can they WILL NOT explode unless there is a 2x1 opening. Even if its a 1x1 opening, they will just stare at you. Basically, unless they can physically walk to you and touch you, they won't blow up.......sssssssss
Wow, I didn't expect this many replies in just one day! Let me try to address them all. :smile.gif:
Cobblestone won't withstand a creeper explosion. They can leave a large crater in your cobblestone fort.
Any block can stop creepers as long as they can't get to you through it, though. Glass will stop creepers.
The key to a creeper-proof fort is:
1) Light it up so they can't spawn in it.
2) Do not have openings into your fort that are less than 2 blocks above a place creepers can get to. Requiring going through a door to get into your base works great.
3) Make your entrances either with lots of glass around the door so you can see, or a walkway or other thing so they can't lurk right outside the door.
Wow, that's disappointing. I mean, an almost-invisible monster that can not only pierce my walls, but "blow enormous holes in" it? Geeze. But if I understand you correctly, I need to game the AI, rather than build up resources that can totally stop them (because let's face it, even with a nether port, farming obsidian is a royal pain in the ****. I can't imagine building an entire base out of it.)
1) Okay, I definitely have my base lit up; even on Peaceful, it's too dark to see at night, so I have torches everywhere. (And thanks to my aforementioned quarry, enough coal to make approximately infinity more.)
2) Okay, I've already got doors barring the entrance, and the only other exits from the fort are my as-of-yet under construction emergency bunker (which I started building simply to do something with the thousands of cobblestone), and ladders which lead up three blocks to the roof, which is itself torch-laden (and again, the walls jut out 2-3 spaces on all sides to prevent Spider attacks) so... so far so good, actually.
3) Good idea; at least then I'll see them coming. I read on the Wiki if I get far enough away they won't continue to explode, which is good at least as far as keeping them from ripping holes in my fort. It's just the whole "continue to live during the day" thing that really freaks me out (and, again, spiders... arachnophobe here)
Cobble doesn't withstand a direct explosion. I think brick might, and I know for sure obsidian does.
Creeper explosions seem to be more powerful than TNT explosions.
I think I read on the Wiki that Creepers are actually less powerful than TNT but hey, trivial difference if they blow a hole in your home, right? :wink.gif: And yeah, I knew someone was going to bring up the obvious that Obsidian is just about invincible... but I'm just thinking of the sheer man-hours it would take to build a fort out of that... even a bunker is an undertaking with a collection process like that. Besides, what I was really hoping for was a method of keeping them out of my hair in the early game, before I can build Nether ports, or reach the bottom of a quarry.
here's what you should do. the thing about creepers is that they can see through thin (1 block thick) walls, so build a cobblestone wall 2 blocks thick around the outside of your fort, and make it really tall, so that they cannot see you. once you have obsidian, build a safe haven in the center of your fort out of obsidian that you can evacuate to, with an iron door and buttons on both sides.
Ooh, an outer wall/courtyard! That's even better, because not only can I light up the courtyard, preventing mob spawns directly around my home, but I can build lookout towers of sorts atop them and see any enemies in the vicinity! That's awesome. The only thing left is figuring out exactly how redstone wire / buttons work... I've played around with it for a bit, but it's a bit un-intuitive... and the Wiki, I gotta say, makes it seem WAY more complicated than it needs to be (can't they include a Beginner's Guide to Redstone?) :wink.gif:
I don't ever recommend a newbie start on peaceful. I think Easy is the best option, so they can experience their first night. Starting on peaceful will get you used to playing on peaceful, and the game is the most fun (but the most scary) with mobs. As for your creeper problem, they are pesky little guys, just make sure your base is lit completely, closed off everywhere (except for your entrance which should be a door), and just to be safe, bring a sword or bow+arrow everywhere :wink.gif:
In retrospect, I think you're right; I would be a lot less afraid of the monsters in this game if I had to deal with them from the very start. Starting on Peaceful has indeed made me rather reluctant to turn up the difficulty, even to Easy. However, I should point out that it does carry with it a few advantages for the new player. Most notably, there's a bit of a learning curve when playing this game, as not everything is all that clearly spelt out for the player. I remember my first time playing; when night fell, I was still wandering around with some dirt and wood that I had punched out of a tree, mostly because I had very little clue what to actually do with any of it. Naturally if it weren't on Peaceful I'd meet a quick, gruesome death. But having it on that mode allowed me to explore, try new things out, and play essentially with the manual (or Wiki as it were) in my lap (aka other monitor.)
You checked the wiki?
The higher the number, the more resistance it has.
Yes, in fact, I have seen that exact page. However, I had more than a little trouble making sense of all of it. The problem isn't hat I'm dumb, or can't do math; it's that I'm having trouble focusing on something that complex. See, I'm actually recovering from oral surgery (wisdom teeth... ouch), and taking Vicodin for the pain... my ability to focus kind of goes out the window when I'm on that stuff, so I was hoping I could just find a list of "this will survive a creeper, this won't", hence my "explain it in plain Newbie" quip in my OP. :smile.gif:
If such a list doesn't exist, I'll simply work my way through the page on the wiki. It's just difficult working out math while my head is in a fog.
My best advice: be the most careful just as you're leaving your base. Without you being nearby, they will never explode, so this is the point where your base is the most vulnerable.
Ok, fair enough, but what does being careful actually entail? If I crouch I can check directly through the door, sure, and I suppose I can climb up to the rooftop and check from there, but should I, for example, be putting in windows with glass? Also, on a related note, if I start getting chased by these guys, what should I do to lose/kill them? I read about running and gunning (or "Swording" I guess), but I imagine that leading me into a whole nest of creepers, spiders, or whatever, if I'm not careful.
Of course, until you feel comfortable enough to fight them mano a mano, you can just build a 3-block-deep, 2-block-wide trench around your base. Creepers will be caught, and you can just build a bridge over them to escape.
*nods silently in contemplation* there's a budget solution if I ever saw one... lol.
I think that's most, if not all the replies I got... thanks a ton for the replies, and for not mocking my embarrassing fear of the monsters (I shouldn't be so afraid, I mean they're just blocks, but man, I get freaked...) and of course for taking the time to answer me. I'll try out the things you guys have mentioned. :smile.gif:
I always found windows were great to find out if creepers were around, I put them in every other block on my ground floor so I can see the little green buggars hiding around a corner waiting for me.
The main thing that scares me about Creepers is that you can't hear them until it's too late. The rest you can hear. Spiders scare me too, arachnophobia is the cause of that but I got over it pretty quickly, I like to watch them fall to their deaths as they try to climb up my wall only to meet cactus.
Seeing as I spawned in a large gorge, I built a moat around my house with the water pushing downwards, so they drown or meet the cactus at the bottom. A small connection of water and tunnels gives me their drops most of the time [I say most of the time because I haven't rigged it up properly, there are still spots where the drop doesn't get picked up by the current so I don't get it, but it's rare it happens]
I believe creepers do in fact work similar to TNT in that if they're in water, they don't damage surrounding blocks. So.. with that in mind.. a moat may be a good idea, although, I prefer the window approach and multiple exits.. just leaving where one isn't if I have a problem and I always make an escape tunnel that leads far from home, just in case all exits are blocked. Then, you can always return, lure them away, and deal with them as you will, either leading into a hole filled with cactus or just losing them in a chase and going back home afterward, or even killing them when you're safely away from things you don't want destroyed.
make sure to make the jumping diagonl since AI not good at those things
and thats about it.....(i think)
P.S.: this defense works for any enemies....spiders cant climb to the top of ur building, since its floating(hopefully 30-60 blocks up), skeltons cant shoot that high, creepers will fall down the holes in the jumpng challenge, and same with zombies.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Never trust Steam
OH COME ON!!! I WAS AT OVER 9000!!!
Well, I've tried a few nights with mobs spawning; I pre-established a home on Peaceful before I turned it on, because I just wanted to practice fighting the different mobs and the behavior of the different enemies in the game. My first encounter didn't go so well; I failed to remember that spiders can climb fences, and got ambushed on my roof. Oops. After that, I tried a technique I saw on YouTube where someone stabbed a creeper across the fence, pulled back, and attacked again, which didn't let the creeper explode. That... didn't work so well. Thankfully, Cobblestone proved to be a bit better than I thought as a defense (it did help that the creeper was several tiles away), and the foundation itself remained intact, and I only lost a few wood blocks. No big deal really. Expanding the fences and digging down the walls to the east and west of my home (it's on an isthmus) so that attacks could only come from two fronts really helped keep down the number of mobs I have to dispatch in the morning (one night, I got freaking assaulted and had to shoot down four creepers and a hostile spider in the morning... I could barely do any work during the day before night fell again.)
I have encountered an interesting problem; foiled spiders seem to like hanging out where I can't reach them, like between windows. I suppose I could step out on my porch and shoot them as they round the corner... but I'm only gradually working on my cajones in that department (working on that whole arachnophobia thing... the fact that they move so unrealistically helps with that, but the sound it makes running on grass certainly does NOT).
I realize it may not be the best experience, but I currently don't feel like I want to keep mobs active all the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm having fun running around shooting spiders, zombies, etc while my iTunes plays Lord of the Rings soundtrack in the background. Actually, last night was a blast. But while I'm building, running around gathering materials, etc.? I'd rather not have to keep checking my back to see if a Creeper is coming up to explode, you know? I think I read somewhere that some people like to play on Peaceful during the day, then crank it up at night to enjoy the combat, and of course, the materials associated with that. For now, I think I'll do that until I get a bit more comfortable fighting the mobs. Best of both worlds, you know? (Let's just say, I'm working on getting over being afraid of ridiculous cube-y monsters... sounds ridiculous I know xD)
just a quick response to > "(because let's face it, even with a nether port, farming obsidian is a royal pain in the ****. I can't imagine building an entire base out of it.)"
obsidian isnt too hard to come by because if you can find a large amount of lava, (which isnt so uncommon deep underground while mining), and pour water on it from a bucket, it causes the CORE(not moving) blocks of lava to turn into obsidian, ive made plenty with this method. (note-the moving lava only turns into cobblestone). hope that helps :smile.gif:
-THOUGH if defence is what youre mostly worried about, if you have a 2 block thick wall of ANYTHING, a creeper shouldnt blow up anyway because you wont be able to get near enough to it for that to happen.... unless u go outside. =)
1. I did try to search the boards; the search function didn't work for me.
2. I have read/checked the Wiki, and while I'm sure the data on this is perfectly accurate, it's a bit difficult to interpret for someone who's not used to the game/formulas.
Since I'm a total newbie to Survival Mode (previously I only played Classic in-browser), I've been playing the game strictly on Peaceful mode so I can get the hang of different techniques, how the game behaves, what everything does, etc... I plan on easing myself into actually playing full-out on mob-friendly difficulties over the next few days by trying building up forts on Peaceful, then turning the mobs on and trying my mettle against the monsters (yes, I admit, I'm a complete wuss; arachnophobia being just one reason). But before I do, I thought I'd ask a couple questions about mob-proofing my fort. So far, after reading up on the wiki, I've done the following:
Adding precipices to the tops of my walls, to deter spiders.
Roofing my fort with openings for ladders, to minimize the threat from skeletons.
I've begun building emergency escape routes in case of emergency.
So far, the other mobs appear to be mere annoyances; it's the Creepers that I'm worried are going to get to me. I don't think I understand the formula for explosion damage, so I'm not sure exactly what materials will survive a Creeper explosion and what won't, beyond the obvious (clearly dirt won't survive, and obviously Obsidian will withstand almost anything). Of course, once I'm farming Obsidian I'm in the clear, because anything that requires Diamond to mine and can open inter-dimensional hell-gates has gotta be pretty tough. However, it's getting to that point, with mobs, that has me worried. For example, does the richly abundant Cobblestone withstand a direct explosion? Right now, my fort is comprised of that atop a Sandstone base (I've literally got thousands of cobblestone blocks thanks to a quarry directly outside my current abode). I'm not really all that willing to risk having huge holes blown in my base (not to mention killed while carrying good items) to test it out. If it's not enough, what early-game blocks can I get my hands on that WILL stop those annoying creatures?
Like I said, I'm sure this has already been answered, so if someone has a guide up that explains it in plain Newbie, just link me there and I'll just read that. Thanks for reading. :smile.gif:
Any block can stop creepers as long as they can't get to you through it, though. Glass will stop creepers.
The key to a creeper-proof fort is:
1) Light it up so they can't spawn in it.
2) Do not have openings into your fort that are less than 2 blocks above a place creepers can get to. Requiring going through a door to get into your base works great.
3) Make your entrances either with lots of glass around the door so you can see, or a walkway or other thing so they can't lurk right outside the door.
I usually cram a few oreos into my CD tray to keep it running smoothly.
-TimmySteve
?
The higher the number, the more resistance it has.
Cobblestone and brick have same resistance
Creeper=1/3 TNT
I cover my special buildings with half steps and double steps for 4 reasons. It will protect against the layer underneath while sacrificing itself, cheap... that is if you're abundant on cobblestone, looks nice and smooth, also prevent monster spawning on your roof and jumping on your head while you leave.
http://www.youtube.com/user/FALL3NHitman
I thought notch fixed it so enemy mobs spawn on halfblocks, glass, and leaves now?
Of course, until you feel comfortable enough to fight them mano a mano, you can just build a 3-block-deep, 2-block-wide trench around your base. Creepers will be caught, and you can just build a bridge over them to escape.
Wow, that's disappointing. I mean, an almost-invisible monster that can not only pierce my walls, but "blow enormous holes in" it? Geeze. But if I understand you correctly, I need to game the AI, rather than build up resources that can totally stop them (because let's face it, even with a nether port, farming obsidian is a royal pain in the ****. I can't imagine building an entire base out of it.)
1) Okay, I definitely have my base lit up; even on Peaceful, it's too dark to see at night, so I have torches everywhere. (And thanks to my aforementioned quarry, enough coal to make approximately infinity more.)
2) Okay, I've already got doors barring the entrance, and the only other exits from the fort are my as-of-yet under construction emergency bunker (which I started building simply to do something with the thousands of cobblestone), and ladders which lead up three blocks to the roof, which is itself torch-laden (and again, the walls jut out 2-3 spaces on all sides to prevent Spider attacks) so... so far so good, actually.
3) Good idea; at least then I'll see them coming. I read on the Wiki if I get far enough away they won't continue to explode, which is good at least as far as keeping them from ripping holes in my fort. It's just the whole "continue to live during the day" thing that really freaks me out (and, again, spiders... arachnophobe here)
I think I read on the Wiki that Creepers are actually less powerful than TNT but hey, trivial difference if they blow a hole in your home, right? :wink.gif: And yeah, I knew someone was going to bring up the obvious that Obsidian is just about invincible... but I'm just thinking of the sheer man-hours it would take to build a fort out of that... even a bunker is an undertaking with a collection process like that. Besides, what I was really hoping for was a method of keeping them out of my hair in the early game, before I can build Nether ports, or reach the bottom of a quarry.
Ooh, an outer wall/courtyard! That's even better, because not only can I light up the courtyard, preventing mob spawns directly around my home, but I can build lookout towers of sorts atop them and see any enemies in the vicinity! That's awesome. The only thing left is figuring out exactly how redstone wire / buttons work... I've played around with it for a bit, but it's a bit un-intuitive... and the Wiki, I gotta say, makes it seem WAY more complicated than it needs to be (can't they include a Beginner's Guide to Redstone?) :wink.gif:
In retrospect, I think you're right; I would be a lot less afraid of the monsters in this game if I had to deal with them from the very start. Starting on Peaceful has indeed made me rather reluctant to turn up the difficulty, even to Easy. However, I should point out that it does carry with it a few advantages for the new player. Most notably, there's a bit of a learning curve when playing this game, as not everything is all that clearly spelt out for the player. I remember my first time playing; when night fell, I was still wandering around with some dirt and wood that I had punched out of a tree, mostly because I had very little clue what to actually do with any of it. Naturally if it weren't on Peaceful I'd meet a quick, gruesome death. But having it on that mode allowed me to explore, try new things out, and play essentially with the manual (or Wiki as it were) in my lap (aka other monitor.)
Yes, in fact, I have seen that exact page. However, I had more than a little trouble making sense of all of it. The problem isn't hat I'm dumb, or can't do math; it's that I'm having trouble focusing on something that complex. See, I'm actually recovering from oral surgery (wisdom teeth... ouch), and taking Vicodin for the pain... my ability to focus kind of goes out the window when I'm on that stuff, so I was hoping I could just find a list of "this will survive a creeper, this won't", hence my "explain it in plain Newbie" quip in my OP. :smile.gif:
If such a list doesn't exist, I'll simply work my way through the page on the wiki. It's just difficult working out math while my head is in a fog.
Ok, fair enough, but what does being careful actually entail? If I crouch I can check directly through the door, sure, and I suppose I can climb up to the rooftop and check from there, but should I, for example, be putting in windows with glass? Also, on a related note, if I start getting chased by these guys, what should I do to lose/kill them? I read about running and gunning (or "Swording" I guess), but I imagine that leading me into a whole nest of creepers, spiders, or whatever, if I'm not careful.
*nods silently in contemplation* there's a budget solution if I ever saw one... lol.
I think that's most, if not all the replies I got... thanks a ton for the replies, and for not mocking my embarrassing fear of the monsters (I shouldn't be so afraid, I mean they're just blocks, but man, I get freaked...) and of course for taking the time to answer me. I'll try out the things you guys have mentioned. :smile.gif:
The main thing that scares me about Creepers is that you can't hear them until it's too late. The rest you can hear. Spiders scare me too, arachnophobia is the cause of that but I got over it pretty quickly, I like to watch them fall to their deaths as they try to climb up my wall only to meet cactus.
Seeing as I spawned in a large gorge, I built a moat around my house with the water pushing downwards, so they drown or meet the cactus at the bottom. A small connection of water and tunnels gives me their drops most of the time [I say most of the time because I haven't rigged it up properly, there are still spots where the drop doesn't get picked up by the current so I don't get it, but it's rare it happens]
or, u could make a floating fortress in the sky out of any non gravity affected block
[] [] [] [] [] [] []
then for the entry way, make a jumping challenge
(bird eye view)
[]
[]
[] []
make sure to make the jumping diagonl since AI not good at those things
and thats about it.....(i think)
P.S.: this defense works for any enemies....spiders cant climb to the top of ur building, since its floating(hopefully 30-60 blocks up), skeltons cant shoot that high, creepers will fall down the holes in the jumpng challenge, and same with zombies.
Never trust Steam
OH COME ON!!! I WAS AT OVER 9000!!!
Actually, cobblestone is very explosion resistant. A two block thick wall like this:
is very effective against creeper explosions. And, they only have 1/4 the power of TNT. Read it on the wiki.
The framing of this circle on the ground
Brings whirlwinds, tempests, thunder and lightning.
I have encountered an interesting problem; foiled spiders seem to like hanging out where I can't reach them, like between windows. I suppose I could step out on my porch and shoot them as they round the corner... but I'm only gradually working on my cajones in that department (working on that whole arachnophobia thing... the fact that they move so unrealistically helps with that, but the sound it makes running on grass certainly does NOT).
I realize it may not be the best experience, but I currently don't feel like I want to keep mobs active all the time. Don't get me wrong, I'm having fun running around shooting spiders, zombies, etc while my iTunes plays Lord of the Rings soundtrack in the background. Actually, last night was a blast. But while I'm building, running around gathering materials, etc.? I'd rather not have to keep checking my back to see if a Creeper is coming up to explode, you know? I think I read somewhere that some people like to play on Peaceful during the day, then crank it up at night to enjoy the combat, and of course, the materials associated with that. For now, I think I'll do that until I get a bit more comfortable fighting the mobs. Best of both worlds, you know? (Let's just say, I'm working on getting over being afraid of ridiculous cube-y monsters... sounds ridiculous I know xD)
obsidian isnt too hard to come by because if you can find a large amount of lava, (which isnt so uncommon deep underground while mining), and pour water on it from a bucket, it causes the CORE(not moving) blocks of lava to turn into obsidian, ive made plenty with this method. (note-the moving lava only turns into cobblestone). hope that helps :smile.gif:
-THOUGH if defence is what youre mostly worried about, if you have a 2 block thick wall of ANYTHING, a creeper shouldnt blow up anyway because you wont be able to get near enough to it for that to happen.... unless u go outside. =)